ELKO – Anthem Broadband, Nevada Gold Mines and local dignitaries hosted a groundbreaking Monday that will undoubtedly change the future of Elko. The project includes $30 million worth of infrastructure, finally bringing high quality internet service to Elko and surrounding areas.
“Thank you for coming today to support the launch of the Digital Transformation Project,” said Anthem CEO Jacob Larsen.
Larsen pointed out that in order to do the things that the rest of the world does, the community needs access to technology and opportunity in connecting. The company promises to provide residents with educational opportunities, entertainment, telemedicine, recreation and personal communication all over the world through better connectivity.
“At Anthem Broadband we focus on connecting rural communities,” Larsen said. “We serve dozens of communities in Idaho, Oregon and Montana. We look forward to being part of this community.”
Larsen says that customers can expect no network bottlenecks or limitations due to a congested network. He said the company offers speeds twice as fast as other competitors for the same amount of money — and there will be no up-front hookup or construction costs for the consumer.
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“Sign up and you will just have your monthly bill,” Larsen said. “Everybody is getting access.”
Rachna Vas, Microsoft program manager for rural communities, took the podium.
“We are pleased to partner with Anthem Broadband,” she said. “We focus on fostering economic development in communities like Elko through digital inclusion programs in healthcare, business and education. We are especially eager to promote upscaling programs to enhance employability for Elko residents. This includes free digital skills training programs. It will be offered to all customers of Anthem Broadband.”
“We will also be working with Anthem Broadband to address affordable programs for low income customers, including the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program to help customers with affordable devices and affordable internet subscriptions.”
“This is a really exciting day,” said Mayor Reece Keener. “It was back in 2017 when the Governor’s Office of Science Innovation and Technology reached out to City officials checking in on our internet and broadband needs in the Elko area. What they found was a critically under-served market that was eager for new options. A local broadband survey was conducted by OSIT in 2018 and it revealed a profound level of dissatisfaction with internet options for all customers in the area. These results were then validated by a report that ranked Elko in the 10 worst cities for internet speed nationally.”
Keener said some Third-World countries had better internet.
An Elko Broadband Action Committee was formed and they had regular meetings with broadband providers. Many of those providers said Elko was not a large enough market to attract a national player that could fund the infrastructure needed, according to Keener.
Anthem Broadband, an Idaho-based business, is going to receive partial funding for the enormous project in the form of a partnership with Nevada Gold Mines.
“We have been working on this for 18 months,” said Alissa Wood, head of communications and corporate affairs with NGM. “We were looking for a community partner to bring affordable and reliable broadband to all areas in Elko, Spring Creek and Lamoille. Anthem was identified as a good partner to work with. Nevada Gold Mines is committing $30 million to the project.
"It is a loan, so they do have to pay it back,” she added. “But, what we identified is, instead of paying Nevada Gold Mines back, we wanted them to pay back existing community programs. Ten million dollars will eventually be paid back to the I-80 Fund and $20 million back to the Heritage Fund Endowment, helping to grow and sustain those programs.”
The Heritage Fund Endowment will eventually be handed over to the community when NGM ceases operations. The money will help support the community long into the future, according to Wood.
Nevada Gold Mines Executive Managing Director Greg Walker speaks to the crowd about the company's contributions to the project and their continued dedication to Elko area residents.
This partnership between NGM and Anthem will benefit the local gold industry and the community by attracting younger, more energetic employees who need internet for their business, according to NGM Executive Managing Director Greg Walker.
“We are over 7,000 people — that’s a big part of the community,” said Walker. “The community needs the basics (internet) to function properly.”
Executive Director at Northeastern Nevada Regional Development Authority Sheldon Mudd said this step will provide opportunity for the community from an economic perspective.
“Broadband is essential and it’s a part of 21st century infrastructure, and if we are going to be competitive in the markets to retain and attract businesses we are going to have to have that in place. We are really grateful for Nevada Gold Mines and Anthem in concert with public officials to make this happen.”
“This digital transformation project will rescue Elko from the bottom of the barrel to the top shelf,” Keener said.
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Ruby Marshes a hidden gem:
Ruby Marshes one of Fish & Wildlife Service's 8 'hidden gems'
1. Desert National Wildlife Refuge: Hidden Forest Cabin
Where: The 1.5 million-acre Desert National Wildlife Refuge -- the largest refuge in the lower 48 states -- is located approximately 20 miles northwest of Las Vegas, Nevada. Deep within the Sheep Range lies Deadman Canyon, where intrepid hikers can trek to a historic cabin fed by a small spring nestled high in the Ponderosa Pine Forest.
Reward: The Hidden Forest Cabin, which is on the national register of historic places, is well over 100 years old. Its origins remain murky -- some say it was an old bootlegger cabin while others claim a game warden lived here. Either way, the spot is an impressive sight that offers visitors unexpected solitude and a welcome respite.
2. Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge: The Dunes Units
Where: Tucked behind the “Redwood Curtain,” the globally rare dunes and dune forest of Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex in Northern California are juxtaposed between coastal redwood forests and the expansive Pacific Ocean.
Reward: Blooming dune flora, which turn the already surreal landscape into an artwork of pastels.
3. Modoc National Wildlife Refuge: Wigeon Pond Trail
Where: Located in a region of California that few outside the area know about, Modoc National Wildlife Refuge is found on the extreme northeast corner outside the town of Alturas, at the foot of the Warner Mountains.
Reward: A variety of wildlife are readily observable from both the Wigeon Pond Trail and auto tour route. This refuge may also be the best place to see greater sandhill cranes and their colts (young of the year).
4. Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge: Birder’s paradise
Where: The Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge lies at the southern end of Ruby Valley in northeast Nevada. Flanked on the west by the rugged and scenic Ruby Mountains, it is one of the most remote refuges in the lower 48 states.
Reward: Identified as one of the 500 “Globally Important Bird Areas” by the American Bird Conservancy, Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge serves as one of the most critical waterfowl nesting areas in the Great Basin and intermountain West. The South Marsh supports the highest concentration of nesting canvasbacks in North America.
5. Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge: Solitude
Where: Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge is 11 miles north of Monterey, California, where the Salinas River empties into the Pacific Ocean. This 365-acre refuge along the Pacific Flyway for migratory birds showcases a variety of habitats from coastal grasslands to salt marsh to coastal sand dunes and a beach.
Reward: Enjoy a quiet stroll on the trail or beach and get a glimpse of colorful native plant blooms and rare wildlife, away from crowds.
6. San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge: Pelican Nature Trail
Where: Located in Stanislaus County just off of CA-132 and about 20 minutes from Modesto, California, the Pelican Nature Trail at San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge offers visitors a choice of three connected loops; a short, one-mile-walk for the first loop or four-mile-walk if you explore all three loops. Access the trailhead on Dairy Road.
Reward: Guests may see an endangered riparian brush rabbit among other wildlife. The first loop leads along a restored wetland that features raised “bunny mounds” that provide refuge for these rabbits during San Joaquin River flood events. Further down the trail, river otters and beavers are known to make guest appearances.
7. Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge: Rock Hill Trail
Where: Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge is located at the southeastern edge of the Salton Sea (California’s largest lake) in Imperial County, California, within the Colorado Desert region of the Sonoran Desert. This refuge has some unique natural, geologic and cultural features worth checking out even in the heat of summer.
Reward: An early morning or evening walk on the Rock Hill Trail is great for birding and wildlife viewing. Some key species to look out for in the summer are the gull-billed terns and black skimmers that arrive to nest in managed ponds. Also, burrowing owls are easily spotted day and night on the refuge. The trail takes you to the top of one of California’s youngest volcanoes and provides stunning views of the Salton Sea set against the Santa Rosa Mountains.
8. Upper Klamath National Wildlife Refuge: Canoe Trail
Where: The Upper Klamath National Wildlife Refuge’s Canoe Trail is a marked 9.5 mile journey through a large freshwater marsh surrounded by upland forest accessed from either Rocky Point or Malone Springs boat launch. From Klamath Falls, head west 25 miles on Hwy 140, turn north onto West Side Road and follow the signs to Rocky Point boat launch. Malone Springs boat launch is four miles past the Rocky Point boat launch.
Reward: Fully immerse yourself in nature’s solitude as you meander through 15,000 acres of freshwater marsh on the self-guided Canoe Trail tour. The trail has four segments: Recreation Creek, Crystal Creek, Wocus Cut and Malone Springs. Each offer a different and unique view of the Upper Klamath marsh. Float through in canoes or kayaks, and you’ll have a good chance viewing wildlife living their best lives.
